Hard rain didn’t stop this young lady from going to a tree lighting. I have to credit the weather for helping me make a couple of decent shots after our 10th tree lighting of the weekend. That sounds like a lot but there’s more yet to come with the Mayor’s Enchanted Trolley Tour. Ho, ho, ho!
I’m a Boston-based photographer with decades of experience shooting newsmakers in politics, business, entertainment and sports, during some of the defining events of this century. As an embedded photographer with the Massachusetts Army Reserve in Iraq, I spent weeks in-country moving with troops through forward areas, documenting the war, as well as the soldiers fighting it. I covered the aftermath of 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and the Boston Marathon bombing, creating award-winning images that told the stories of the victims and the heroes involved in those events. How did I get all that experience? It started with a degree in Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which I used over the last 30 years to create acclaimed stills and video for a variety of organizations and publications. Twenty of those years were spent as a staff photographer for the Boston Herald where I photographed presidents, mayors, celebrities, and more playoff games, Super Bowls, World Series, and collegiate contests than I can count. It has been the full-on journalism career of my dreams. I still have a presence in the news business by occasionally freelancing for the Boston Globe. However, these days my bread and butter is politics and event photography. I’m having a blast working with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu on her press team. I’m also proud to count MassBio and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts among my regular clients. Life after the Herald is good. I’m living proof.
I loved working on this music therapy story about Eve Montague and South Shore Community Voices. They have a Holiday Concert coming up on December 11th. I only saw the practice but I’m sure it’s going to be fun and inspirational. Details are at the end of the Boston Globe story linked below.
A place where all are welcome to lift up their voices in joy
The Boston Police Relief Association honor the 44 active and retired Boston police members who died in the past year during their annual service at Mount Hope Cemetery in Mattapan.
Mayor Walsh, Governor Baker, and other officials march with officers up the hill to the memorial site for the service.
Sarah holds onto her father’s arm as she and others listen to the names of the fallen read by Superintendent-In-Chief William Gross.
Molly watches a short distance from her family who attended in honor of her late grandfather.
Commissioner Evans gets a chuckle from the crowd saying he is the “only guy who wakes up every day and hopes for shitty weather” and asks everybody to “pray for a peaceful summer.”
I still haven’t had time to build the website of my dreams so I’ve decided to just keep posting once in awhile when I get something that might be of general interest to people.
It’s always special when I get to visit Boston Children’s Hospital but this time it was especially so because I was with Boston Mayor Marty Walsh when he met this precious little five year old patient named Quinn. We had to put on scrubs to be in the room with her and I was nervous the Mayor might be a little self-conscious about his appearance. He was fine with it though and really connected with Quinn right away. Her family was great and Quinn didn’t mind me taking pictures at all. They pretty much ignored me, which is perfect. Once in awhile it all works out. I love it when that happens.
I thought I would have some time to get this website together after my 20 year career at the Boston Herald recently came to an end. I was out of work for about 10 minutes and haven’t slowed down since.
I’m looking forward to putting together a nice website highlighting some of my work but it might take a little more time than I originally thought. Until then please give photowilcox a follow on Instagram and John Wilcox Photography a like on Facebook.
Thanks for your interest!
